At every age and stage, we long to belong. But too often, that desire comes at the cost of abandoning parts of ourselves. True friendship isn’t about fitting in - it’s about finding your people: the ones you like, and the ones you feel good being around.   Leslie Randolph is joined by friendship expert and advice columnist Nina Badzin for a conversation about friendship and friend groups, especially during the tween and teen years. But the truths they explore reach well beyond middle school. How do we recognize a real friend versus someone we’re just trying to impress? Why do so many of us stay in groups that drain us? And how can we help kids build friendships that reflect who they are, not who they think they’re supposed to be?   Nina shares what she’s learned from years of listening to people wrestle with connection, exclusion, and the pressure to belong. Together, Leslie and Nine unpack the difference between fitting in and finding true friendship, the quiet harm of chasing the “right” group, and the role adults play, often unintentionally, in keeping those patterns alive. They also talk about the value of community and how spaces like family dinners, extracurriculars, and youth groups can offer kids a sense of belonging that isn’t dependent on social status.   This episode is a gentle reminder that strong friendships aren’t built on proximity or history alone. They’re built on trust, emotional safety, and mutual effort. And that’s true at any age.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Friendship and Confidence 03:04 Meet Nina Badzin: Friendship Columnist and Expert 05:00 The Myth of the Perfect Friend Group 08:09 Fitting In vs. Authentic Friendship 11:12 How Parents Shape Social Pressure 15:04 What Makes a Friendship Real 20:10 Trust, Safety, and Showing Up as Yourself 24:05 Building Social Confidence Through Multiple Buckets 28:02 Where to Find Belonging Beyond School 30:12 Friendship vs. Community: Why Both Matter 38:09 Practical Advice for Building Real Friendships 41:00 Letting Go and Moving On with Openness   Connect with Nina Badzin: See Nina in Highland Park  Listen to Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship Subscribe to the Dear Nina newsletter Join the Facebook Group Follow on IG Connect With Leslie: Help Your Teen Cultivate Confidence Website Instagram Facebook Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm